Sjoerd Marijne returns as the Indian women’s hockey team coach

Indian hockey would be hoping to turn over a new leaf in the new year after Hockey India on Friday officially confirmed former chief coach Sjoerd Marijne’s return with the national women’s team. This comes a month after Harendra Singh had quit following complaints of harassment and ineffective training by the players.

Marijne, who led the Indian women to a historic fourth place finish at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, had been spoken of as a possible replacement even before Harendra’s resignation came through. The Dutchman will have the unenviable task of repeating his magic in three months, when the women participate in the Hyderabad World Cup qualifiers in March.

More interesting, however, is the support staff he will be bringing with him in his second term with the team, which will officially be till the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics as per the contract.

Former Argentina defender and Olympian Matias Vila will join as the analytical coach, while Wayne Lombard, widely credited with the Indian team’s impressive fitness standards four years ago, will come on board as the head of athletic performance. Lombard will be assisted by South Africans Rodet Yila and Ciara Yila as scientific advisors.

While Vila is currently head coach of the Dutch top division women’s team HC Tilburg, Lombard has been working and consulting with many teams, sports and institutes including IIS and Delhi Capitals. He was also recently announced as the strength and conditioning coach for the Boxing Federation of India, but that role, reportedly, will also be a consultancy.

“It’s great to be back. After 4.5 years, I return with fresh energy and a clear vision to support the team’s growth and help the players achieve their full potential on the world stage,” Marijne said in a statement.

He is scheduled to arrive on January 14 and take immediate charge with the preparatory camp beginning January 19.

Hockey India, meanwhile, is also on the lookout for a new junior women’s team coach following the exit of Tushar Khandker after similar accusations of sexual, mental and physical misconduct.

Khandker recently accompanied the team for the Junior World Cup and although there is no official announcement yet, federation sources confirmed HI would soon formally advertise for a replacement after SAI’s approval.